Your 10 Most Common Basement Dilemmas, Solved

February 15, 2018Brian McCourt

Basements are often the last stop on the renovation train because they're notorious for being difficult to plan and renovate. They are the space in our homes known for dated ceiling tiles, leaning stacks of boxes full of things we’ll never use and weird brown water stains. But there is hope! Here are some common head-scratching basement dilemmas that you can solve yourself.

Your 10 Most Common Basement Dilemmas, Solved

February 15, 2018 Brian McCourt

Basements are often the last stop on the renovation train because they're notorious for being difficult to plan and renovate. They are the space in our homes known for dated ceiling tiles, leaning stacks of boxes full of things we’ll never use and weird brown water stains. But there is hope! Here are some common head-scratching basement dilemmas that you can solve yourself.

Poor Layout

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Poor Layout

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Photo Credit: unsplash.com

It's best to plan your bedrooms and bathrooms first. Building code requires proper egress windows in bedrooms, and washrooms should be nearby existing plumbing to reduce reno costs. Plan spaces like the entertainment area last because they have less code requirements.

Poor Layout

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It's best to plan your bedrooms and bathrooms first. Building code requires proper egress windows in bedrooms, and washrooms should be nearby existing plumbing to reduce reno costs. Plan spaces like the entertainment area last because they have less code requirements.

Photo Credit: unsplash.com

Slanted Stairs

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Slanted Stairs

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

The more finished the space, the more difficult, but sometimes basement stairs can be adjusted by shimming one side with wood (at the bottom) and then securing them back to the structure of the home.

Bulky Electrical Panel

Conceal your basement’s bulky electrical panel by building symmetrical access doors around it, one with the electrical panel inside and the other for storage.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Superficial Cracks

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Superficial Cracks

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Photo Credit: unsplash.com

You have to make it worse before it gets better, but hydraulic cement can fix superficial cracks in your foundation. Use a grinder (with a diamond-tip blade) to carve the crack deep enough for the hydraulic cement to bond to the surface.

Superficial Cracks

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You have to make it worse before it gets better, but hydraulic cement can fix superficial cracks in your foundation. Use a grinder (with a diamond-tip blade) to carve the crack deep enough for the hydraulic cement to bond to the surface.

Photo Credit: unsplash.com

Ugly Ceiling Tiles

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Ugly Ceiling Tiles

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Photo Credit: Brian McCourt

Open textured ceiling tiles are a thing of the past. If drywall isn't in the cards for your basement, there are some contemporary design options (made from MDF or plastic) that you can pop in for an instant update instead. I used plastic ceiling tiles to create this square medallion (pictured above) to anchor a light fixture.

Ugly Ceiling Tiles

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Open textured ceiling tiles are a thing of the past. If drywall isn't in the cards for your basement, there are some contemporary design options (made from MDF or plastic) that you can pop in for an instant update instead. I used plastic ceiling tiles to create this square medallion (pictured above) to anchor a light fixture.

Photo Credit: Brian McCourt

Brown Stains Around Window

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Brown Stains Around Window

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

These unpleasant stains are likely caused by deteriorating window caulking on the exterior, which exposes cracks between the window and house framing, making it possible for water to seep through your exterior walls and stain your drywall. It’s time to remove the old caulking and apply a new bead (windows should be inspected every few years).

Brown Stains Around Window

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These unpleasant stains are likely caused by deteriorating window caulking on the exterior, which exposes cracks between the window and house framing, making it possible for water to seep through your exterior walls and stain your drywall. It’s time to remove the old caulking and apply a new bead (windows should be inspected every few years).

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Noisy Dryer Vent

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Noisy Dryer Vent

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Photo Credit: Brian McCourt

I’ve seen success by adding small weights (think small pieces of metal like a washer) to the exterior vent flap, which holds it down from the wind but still raises when the dryer blows. If that doesn’t work, swap the exterior flap cover for a louvered vent cover (typically 2 to 4 louvers for a 4- to 6-inch vent).

Noisy Dryer Vent

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I’ve seen success by adding small weights (think small pieces of metal like a washer) to the exterior vent flap, which holds it down from the wind but still raises when the dryer blows. If that doesn’t work, swap the exterior flap cover for a louvered vent cover (typically 2 to 4 louvers for a 4- to 6-inch vent).

Photo Credit: Brian McCourt

Insects/Rodents

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Insects/Rodents

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Sealing exterior cracks and holes can minimize insect entry. If you live in an older home, this will never truly be solved, but it can definitely be improved.

Insects/Rodents

Sealing exterior cracks and holes can minimize insect entry. If you live in an older home, this will never truly be solved, but it can definitely be improved.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Efflorescence

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Efflorescence

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Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Achim Hering

The mineral white stains on cement surfaces are essentially just salt marks caused by evaporated moisture, and they can be removed with efflorescence cleaning products. Beware if it returns, there may be more severe moisture penetration that will need to be addressed.

Efflorescence

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The mineral white stains on cement surfaces are essentially just salt marks caused by evaporated moisture, and they can be removed with efflorescence cleaning products. Beware if it returns, there may be more severe moisture penetration that will need to be addressed.